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Levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 in south Indian type 2 diabetic subjects

Vijay Viswanathan1, C Snehalatha, Mamtha B Nair

  • 1Diabetes Research Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Education and Training in Diabetes, Royapuram, Chennai, India. dr_vijay@vsnl.com

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews
|December 9, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Serum TGFbeta1 levels are elevated in South Indian type 2 diabetes patients. Insulin and ACEI/ARB treatments show a protective effect by reducing TGFbeta1 levels, indicating potential therapeutic benefits in managing diabetic nephropathy.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Nephrology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The prosclerotic cytokine TGFbeta1 is implicated in diabetic kidney disease progression.
  • Understanding TGFbeta1 levels in South Indian type 2 diabetes is crucial for managing renal complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if serum TGFbeta1 levels are elevated in South Indian type 2 diabetic subjects.
  • To investigate the influence of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA)/insulin and ACEI/ARB treatments on TGFbeta1 levels in diabetic patients.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 101 type 2 diabetic patients and 30 non-diabetic, normoglycemic subjects.
  • Serum TGFbeta1 levels were quantified using solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • Significantly elevated serum TGFbeta1 levels were observed in type 2 diabetic subjects compared to controls (30 ± 13.1 ng/mL vs. 19 ± 8.3 ng/mL, p < 0.0001).
  • Patients treated with insulin and OHA showed lower TGFbeta1 levels than those on OHA alone (25.6 ± 11.5 ng/mL vs. 34.1 ± 13.4 ng/mL, p = 0.0009).
  • Treatment with ACEI/ARB was associated with significantly lower TGFbeta1 levels (25.4 ± 12.6 ng/mL vs. 32 ± 12.9 ng/mL, p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Type 2 diabetes in South Indian subjects is associated with significantly elevated serum TGFbeta1 levels.
  • Insulin and ACEI/ARB therapies demonstrate a protective role by reducing TGFbeta1 concentrations in diabetic patients.

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